Devanshi Batra, TwoCircles.net
Northeast Delhi, encompassing neighbourhoods like Seelampur, Jaffrabad, Mustafabad, Karawal Nagar and Shiv Vihar, often seems like a forgotten part of the capital, left behind in the rush towards urban development. Muslims make up around 13% of Delhi’s population; in northeast Delhi, this figure is higher at 29.34%, according to the 2011 census.
Unlike the gleaming malls and sleek metro lines symbolising modern Delhi, these areas are mired in deep-rooted challenges. It is struggling with inadequate infrastructure, unhygienic conditions, contaminated water and limited access to basic services. For the residents, daily life remains a constant battle for dignity and essential amenities.
Broken Roads and Blocked Sewers: A Daily Struggle
The roads in these neighborhoods are riddled with potholes and cracks, making even short commutes a cumbersome task. In Karawal Nagar and Shiv Vihar, broken roads and blocked sewers have turned the daily experience into a nightmare. Waterlogged streets, filled with garbage, become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, heightening health risks. During monsoons, these streets are transformed into water-filled trenches that further disrupts normal life.
Preeti Jain, a resident of Kanti Nagar, pointed out the severity of the issue, “The main problem in these areas is damaged roads and potholes. There are a lot of problems with commuting.”
Rina, a resident of Karawal Nagar, described how broken roads and blocked sewers have compounded the challenges, “The roads were dug up with a promise that sewers will be functional. But they are still blocked, and now the roads are also in a bad state. These sewers are full of rats, and these rodents come into our houses and cause menace.”
Blocked sewers exacerbate the problems. Overflowing drains often spill dirty water onto streets, turning them into muddy pools. This is particularly concerning in Seelampur, where garbage dumped near blocked sewers further clogs the drainage system. The stagnant water brings with it a foul stench, contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases.
Masood Ahmad, an 85-year-old resident of Jaffrabad, explained how the choked sewers in the area have caused persistent issues, “Sewers of the whole area are choked. There are a lot of problems because of that. It takes us a lot of time to commute. Also, I am old, and two or three times I have fallen due to these roads.”
In Seelampur, which borders Uttar Pradesh, an open drain along the main road creates ongoing problems. Overflowing rainwater from these drains floods streets and seeps into homes and shops, damaging electronic goods. The chemicals and toxins in the water hasten the deterioration of these appliances. Corrosion and short circuits are frequent, making repairs a costly and continual burden. Some residents have taken protective measures, such as elevating electronic items or using makeshift covers, but these efforts rarely provide lasting relief. The stench and mosquito infestations add to the misery, rendering the environment nearly unlivable.
Hasin, a fruit seller near the large drain in Seelampur, said, “I have seen this drain as a tease for 10 years now. When it rains, the sewers overflow with drain water, and water gets accumulated in the lanes. No one even comes to clean these drains.”
Preeti Jain echoed concerns about the large drain, “The big drain is the biggest problem. It is cleaned once every six months. All our electronic items get damaged because of the chemicals poured in this drain. It stinks a lot, and mosquitoes gather around streetlights and come to our homes.”
Garbage Heaps and a Crippling Lack of Sanitation
Garbage piles are a frequent sight across Jaffrabad, Seelampur and Karawal Nagar. Streets are often lined with rotting waste, which attracts stray animals and worsens already unsanitary conditions. There have been numerous reports of dog bites in these areas. Despite repeated complaints to municipal authorities, garbage collection remains irregular, leaving residents to handle the mess themselves.
Rina spoke of the garbage disposal issues, “There is a huge problem with garbage disposal. MCD vehicles don’t come to collect waste. We have hired private sweepers to clean our lanes.”
These heaps of garbage often block roads, forcing pedestrians to navigate through narrow, unsanitary spaces. In areas like Shiv Vihar, children playing near these mounds are at constant risk of infections. With no proper waste disposal infrastructure, residents feel abandoned by local authorities.
Relatives have stopped visiting these areas, citing the unhygienic conditions. To maintain some semblance of cleanliness, many households have pooled resources to hire private cleaners. These workers clear roads and collect waste, but their efforts remain limited in scope as they cannot address the underlying systemic issues. Despite their best efforts, residents are often overwhelmed by the sheer volume of waste and the inefficiency of existing infrastructure.
Pooja, a resident of Seelampur for 40 years, said, “We have decided not to vote this time. There are around 30 members in our extended family. Our relatives don’t wish to visit us. There is so much garbage on the road, and the conditions of these narrow lanes are abysmal.”
She added, “How can we stay healthy in this environment? Look at the conditions we are living in. It is a living hell.”
Healthcare in Dire Straits
Shiv Vihar and Karawal Nagar are particularly underserved when it comes to healthcare. With only one mohalla clinic serving both areas, residents often have to travel long distances for even basic medical care. The clinic is overwhelmed with patients, leading to long wait times and insufficient attention to each case.
In emergencies, the lack of nearby hospitals forces residents to rush to distant facilities, often wasting valuable time. The absence of proper healthcare infrastructure compounds the difficulties posed by unsanitary living conditions, leaving many without timely or adequate treatment.
“There is an acute shortage of medicines in the already limited mohalla clinics. They have paracetamol for all the diseases. We instead prefer to visit private clinics even if they are expensive,” said Preeti.
Stinky Water Supply and No Water Supply at All
Clean water remains elusive for residents of northeast Delhi. In Jafrabad, the water supply is notorious for its foul smell. Households are forced to rely on bottled water or cans for their daily needs. Despite repeated complaints, nothing has been done to resolve the issue.
Savita, a resident of Mustafabad, echoed the same, “The water supply is erratic, and the water that comes is smelly and stinky. No one listens even if we complain. We buy water from outside.”
“We have been supplied with drain water,” said Mohammed Iftikhar, a 60-year resident of Jaffrabad, showing the condition of the water.
In Karawal Nagar, the situation is even worse — there is no water supply from the Delhi Jal Board at all. Residents are forced to rely on private tankers, which come at an expensive cost. This reliance on tankers disrupts household budgets and leaves many vulnerable to exploitation by private operators.
Prabha, a 25-year-old resident of Karawal Nagar, explained, “There is no water supply in the whole of Karawal Nagar from the Delhi Jal Board. We buy water from outside.”
Congested Lanes and Dug-Up Roads
In areas like Mustafabad, residents complained about lack of basic amenities, including public toilets, parks and proper healthcare facilities. The unsanitary conditions and unresponsive authorities only add to their grievances. Roads remain dug up, with garbage accumulating at the sides. Residents feel improvements are temporary, often occurring only when political leaders visit during campaigns, and there is no sustained commitment to their welfare.
The narrow, congested lanes of Jaffrabad stand in stark contrast to the planned neighbourhoods of central and south Delhi. These cramped spaces not only restrict movement but also pose significant safety risks, especially during emergencies when ambulances or fire trucks struggle to reach those in need.
In Kanti Nagar, an open manhole on one of the main roads exposes the inadequacies in infrastructure maintenance. This hazard endangers the lives of commuters, particularly at night when poor lighting makes it nearly invisible. Despite repeated complaints, the manhole remains unrepaired, symbolizing the neglect faced by the area.
Geeta, a resident of Kanti Nagar, pointed to the uncovered manhole: “Look at the manhole. Every day someone falls into this. Cars get stuck, and there is a lot of chaos at night. We don’t even get to sleep sometimes when cars or even trucks get stuck.”
The residents of northeast Delhi have long felt abandoned by policymakers and municipal authorities. Their grievances go unheard, and their struggles remain largely unseen. Some people in these areas have even decided to abstain from voting. Basic amenities like clean water, functional roads, regular garbage collection and accessible healthcare should not be privileges but fundamental rights.
Savita from Seelampur summed up the situation: “Candidates only come when they need votes, promise to get the roads repaired, and as elections go, nothing changes. I have seen these broken roads all my life.”